Hirsutenone selectively induces cytotoxic effects in human thyroid cancer cells by inhibiting cell migration and invasion, inducing apoptosis and targeting Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway

The main objective of the current study was to examine the anticancer effects of naturally occurring Hirsutenone in human thyroid cancer cells along with investigating its effects on cell migration and invasion, apoptosis and Wnt/Beta-catenin signalling pathway. MTT assay and clonogenic assay were used to study effects on cell viability and cancer colony formation. Fluorescence microscopy along with flow cytometry was used to study apoptotic effects induced by Hirsutenone. Effects on Wnt/Beta-catenin signalling pathway were examined by western blot assay. Results indicated that Hirsutenone led to potent cell proliferation inhibition along with reducing cancer colony formation in a dose-dependent manner. Hirsutenone induced apoptotic effects as indicated by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining assay as well as annexin-V FITC assay. The percentage of both early and late apoptotic cells increased significantly with increasing doses of Hirsutenone. Hirsutenone also caused activation of CASPASE-3, CASPASE-9, and BAX while as it led to downregulation of BCL-2. Hirsutenone also caused the inhibition of cell migration and cell invasion along with causing suppression of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway. In conclusion, Hirsutenone exhibits strong anticancer properties in human thyroid cancer cells mediated via apoptosis, cell migration and invasion inhibition and suppression of Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway.